10 Best Alaska Cruises to Take This Summer

Table Of Content

• Alaska Travel Tips & Articles: Cruisetours
• Unique Alaska Cruise Experiences
• EXCURSIONS
• INCLUDED ADVENTURES DISCOVER ALASKA YOUR WAY

Sink into refreshed suites and a new lounge, plus dining and entertainment venues. Take in Alaska’s evergreen fjords and thunderous glaciers on this Vista-class Alaska cruise ship. Let Princess pick you up from the airport and take you directly to your ship or hotel when you arrive, even if you didn't book your airfare through us. A uniformed Princess representative meets you at the airport after you've retrieved your luggage and transports you directly to your ship or hotel without you having to worry about the logistics of navigating a new city.

Alaska Travel Tips & Articles: Cruisetours

You can take advantage of discounted fares, free upgrades or complimentary add-ons, such as Wi-Fi, gratuities, restaurant meals, beverage packages and tours. Some of the most desirable cabins might be sold out; being flexible about your sail date or itinerary can help. If you're interested in Alaska's Gold Rush history, Skagway — 90 miles northwest of Juneau — is a port you shouldn't miss. In fact, it's the gateway to the Klondike and Dawson's mining district in Canada's Yukon territory, where prospectors searched for gold in the late 1890s.

Unique Alaska Cruise Experiences

Popular Inside Passage ports of call include Juneau, Icy Strait Point, Ketchikan, Petersburg, Haines and Skagway. When you cruise to Alaska from Seattle, encounter unique ports of call that are rich in history, culture and natural beauty. Enjoy creature comforts, exquisite local cuisine and lively Denali Square. Looking to explore a world-class metropolis before your adventure in the wild?

EXCURSIONS

Alaska is ready for another record-breaking cruise season - The Mercury News

Alaska is ready for another record-breaking cruise season.

Posted: Mon, 15 Apr 2024 16:00:24 GMT [source]

They groan, creak and shudder on their march to the sea, punctuated by the booms and crashes of "white thunder" — a sound that echoes across the water when ice calves into the ocean below. On an Alaska cruise, let us show you Glacier Bay National Park — a UNESCO World Heritage Site — Endicott Arm & Dawes Glacier, College Fjord or Hubbard Glacier. The largest tidewater glacier in North America, Hubbard Glacier has been moving its mass towards the ocean at a rate faster than most of its kind. Towering above the water over 30 stories, the glacier often calves 100-foot chunks of ice into the ocean. What lies beneath the waves is almost as impressive, where ice plunges 1,200 feet beneath the surface. Whether served up in jams, candies, pies or cobblers, Alaskan blueberries, high-bush cranberries and other local wild berries are a staple when it comes to Alaskan summer eats.

Cruise Ports

The historic district still has a Wild West feel, though that's been a bit commercialized for the modern era. This port can get crowded in summer when several ships can call on the same day. Floatplane and helicopter tours take you around scenic areas like Misty Fjords or land you on a glacier, perhaps for a dogsledding or hiking adventure on the ice. If you prefer to stay grounded, you can find informative trolley tours of ports like Skagway. Hop a bus, kayak, boat or plane to look for bears, eagles, whales, sea otters and other wildlife. Note that moose don't regularly show up in the Inside Passage; you'll need to head farther north to find them.

INCLUDED ADVENTURES DISCOVER ALASKA YOUR WAY

Life aboard Alaskan Dream Cruises’ five ships is casual and relaxed, meals feature fresh Alaskan fare, and everyone strives to provide opportunities for guests to make personal connections to the region’s places and people. Make the most of your cruise by keeping an eye out for pop-up sales that can save you even more money—you can even use those savings to indulge in a pre- or post-cruise tour. The storied Cunard cruise line, with more than 180 years of seafaring history, returned to Alaska after nearly 30 years when it arrived back in the Great Land in 2019.

Twice the glaciers

For any cruises listed, Cruise Critic does not guarantee any specific rates or prices. Pack binoculars for spotting all that incredible wildlife, and camera lens or smartphone. Remember swimwear for the ship; even if it’s cool outside, the Solarium on board is climate controlled and covered, so you can relax on a lounger in the warmth, and swim in the pool.

Find Your Perfect Alaska Cruise

Last but not least, keep in mind that Silversea sails between Vancouver and Seward (with the exception of one September 2024 itinerary, which sails from Nome to Vancouver). Those craving a luxury Alaska cruise need not look further than Silversea, says Goldring. The line’s Door-to-Door All-Inclusive fares cover private airport transfers, economy flights, business-class upgrades or air credits, and shore excursions. We have a 50-year legacy of sharing the best places and experiences with our guests.

Or extend your stay with one of our Alaska Cruisetours to explore Alaska’s interiors. Head deep into the wilderness of Denali, immerse yourself in the exciting contemporary culture of Anchorage, and spend time in quirky, arty Talkeetna. Our cruisetours combine an ocean cruise with a land tour into Alaska’s interior. Watch northern wilderness views unfold from aboard our glass-domed train, the McKinley Explorer®.

With Princess, you won’t just explore Alaska’s landscapes, you’ll live amidst them in our custom-built wilderness lodges. Located riverside next to some of the most renowned national parks, these warm and welcoming lodges are the perfect spot to bask in Alaska’s best attractions. As a part of your Alaska cruisetour, explore and unwind with comforting amenities and breathtaking scenery. This luxury cruise line offers classic and expedition-style cruising, the latter of which takes aboard the 274-passenger Silver Wind. (Classic cruises, on the other hand, take place on board Silver Muse, Silver Nova, Silver Shadow, Silver Whisper, or Silver Moon). Nova and Moon offer the Sea and Land Taste program (S.A.L.T), offering culinary connoisseurs the incredible opportunity to experience the local food scene and culture both on and off the ship.

Glacial ice carved this passageway long ago, and today, cruise ships and fishing vessels thread their way through the islets and channels to see some of the most spectacular natural sights in the world. Most sail along the Inside Passage, a maritime route along the state's southern coast (and into British Columbia and Washington state) that weaves around the area's thousand islands. Some venture farther north into the Gulf of Alaska; these are often one-way cruises that begin and end at the ports near Anchorage. If you're eager to spot bald eagles in the wild, ride a dogsled atop an ice field or pan for gold after a hearty salmon feast, an Alaska cruise is calling your name. Dive into The Points Guy's Alaska cruise guide for all the planning tips you need for your dream cruise up north.

If you worry about seasickness, an Inside Passage trip is the best Alaska cruise itinerary versus a sailing where your ship transits rougher, open waters. Our Princess fleet includes ships that range from our smaller vessels to large ships. From a balcony stateroom, marvel at the glaciers passing by before enjoying local seafood in one of our many eateries during your seven-day Alaska cruise. Extend your Alaska cruise vacation, and simplify your travel plans with a hotel stay at the beginning or end of your cruise.

Alaska Cruise Weather by Month Best Weather for an Alaska Cruise

Table Of Content

• Glacier Bay Cruise Itineraries
• Visiting Scenic Restaurants in Alaska
• Alaska Cruise Onboard Experience
• Shorter Days, Cooler Temps, More Rain
• Alaska Wildlife
• The Cons Of Going to Alaska In September
• Snow on the Mountains

I want to preface this by saying it’s not too cold to visit Alaska in September! Vibrant fall colors, fewer crowds, unforgettable excursions, abundant wildlife, and (potentially) the Northern Lights await you in the 49th state during the shoulder season. A September trip can be an incredible experience if you know what to expect and prepare accordingly. Explore the dynamic glaciers, soaring peaks and captivating history of the 49th state on our award-winning itineraries.

Glacier Bay Cruise Itineraries

The 6 Best Cruises for Northern Lights Viewing - AFAR Media

The 6 Best Cruises for Northern Lights Viewing.

Posted: Fri, 05 Apr 2024 07:00:00 GMT [source]

Read on for average Alaska cruise prices, things to do in Alaska and everything else you'll need to decide which is the best month to cruise Alaska for you. The beginning of September is much like August, but after the kids go back to school and the family crowd departs, it's shoulder season for cruising and pricing drops. Most cruise ships will have repositioned out of the state by the end of the month.

Visiting Scenic Restaurants in Alaska

There is a chance you will see some snow, so a winter coat, gloves, and a hat are a smart addition to your packing list. Not only is the cracking sound shocking, but the calving also produces a giant wave of water and captivating icebergs. July and August are prime time for viewing glacier calving on an Alaskan cruise. You also might see fuzzy harbor seal pups and sea lion pups (born in June and July) warming themselves on rocks with their mothers. Add high-powered binoculars to your Alaska packing list to ensure that you get to see all of the wildlife possible.

Alaska Cruise Onboard Experience

As September begins, the sun dips below the horizon signifying the inauguration of fall. The lush green forests transition into vibrant hues of gold and saffron while the mountaintops become freckled in snowfall. Daylight quietly recedes and the growing twilight perfectly contrasts the luminous green lights of the Aurora Borealis. The enchanting colors invite you to marvel at the miracles of Mother Nature that so often act as the inspiration for treasured postcards. With only 12 hours of sunlight, temperatures range from around 43 degrees to the mid-50s.

For most travelers, Southeast Alaska means cruising—and cruising in September offers just as much of a gamble as a land tour. You still have that increased chance of rain and clouds, so your shipboard views of the coastline could be shrouded in fog. On the other hand, if you get a nice day, your experience will be crisp and crystal clear. September in Alaska is the shoulder season—offering the promise of lower prices on hotels and excursions, fewer crowds and bugs, fall colors, and northern lights viewing. While brochures wax poetic about how early fall can be the perfect time to visit Alaska, the days are shorter, and it can also be rainy and cooler. The main cruise season in Alaska is May through September, though many cruise lines are adding shoulder season itineraries in April and October.

Gaze at giant glaciers from the pool deck while you sail through Endicott Arm. Scan the surrounding waters on your way to Juneau for glimpses of wildlife from the North Star®, the tallest viewing deck on a cruise ship. If you’re been to Alaska before and prefer to skip shore excursions, taking a shoulder season cruise allows you to save money and savor the experience of being at sea on a luxury cruise ship. Even with bad weather conditions, some cruise guests love to go in the fall for the chance to see the northern lights. Ships often sail with empty rooms allowing them to enjoy onboard venues with fewer people. Weather varies by region and will get colder the further north you go.

If you purchase a balcony cabin, you can take advantage of the long days in the Land of the Midnight Sun. As your ship reaches the Inside Passage, the early morning views outside of your room are breathtaking. Weather, ocean conditions, and limited sunlight make winter cruising to Alaska impossible. Since I grew up in Alaska, I’m a fan of just about everything in the Land of the Midnight Sun.

This area is similar to Denali in the sense that many hotels and tours shut down by mid-September—after which things are really shut down. So, if you want to experience this area, you just have to come in the early part of the month. Cruise ships run through September—docking in Whittier and Seward, and with buses and trains departing for Anchorage, Talkeetna, Denali and Fairbanks.

Alaska National Parks

On dry land, bears are more common in May, though not as frequently spotted as they are in peak summer. Alternatively, birders might want to time their cruise with the Copper River Shorebird Festival, which takes place early in May in Cordova. Check ahead to make sure your itinerary will stop here, as it's usually only featured on longer 14-day cruises to Alaska. Temperatures are relatively mild, with daytime highs in the upper 40s and into the 50s depending on where you're visiting and cloud cover.

You can’t do a land tour – Denali National Park and tours in Denali typically close for visitors around mid-September. Helicopter tours close shop early as bad weather affects their ability to take off and fly safely. Large boat tours such as the Misty Fjords Explorer and the Bering Sea Crab Fishermen’s Tours also stop offering excursions by mid-September. Snow – As the month progresses, the chances of snow increase at higher elevations.

So grab your gear, lace up your shoes, and prepare to dive into the ultimate sporting extravaganza in beautiful Sitka. On average, Anchorage and other Southcentral destinations receive about 15 hours of daylight. If we move further north, Fairbanks and Denali have around 17 hours of daylight depending on how far north you go.

And for the ultimate outdoor adventure, take a CruiseTour into Alaska’s interior where you can hang with huskies in Denali, and scale glaciers in Alyeska. Planes are plentiful in Alaska, where they're a common form of transportation across the state. Charter a helicopter or fixed-wing flightseeing tour at Juneau and get an unforgettable perspective of the mountains and glaciers of this vast landscape. In some parts of the state, dog sledding is still the primary mode of transportation through the winter months.

These new, cooler climates encourage Alaska’s famed wildlife to begin preparing for hibernation. Gaze at the water’s surface as thousands of bald eagles congregate to enjoy the final salmon of the season. Cruises are typically offered in three-night, seven-night, and even up to 28-night cruises. On average, a seven-night cruise ranges from $500 to $5,000, depending on the cruise line and state room of your choice.

Sometimes, the aurora presents itself as shimmering white patterns across the sky that dissolve and reform. Other times, you’ll see the full rippling curtains effect, with pinks and greens creating a magnificent light show. Photographers will love the mesmerizing sight of the first snowfall, especially on a clear day. The white mountaintops scrape a deep blue sky, while the orange and yellow fall foliage on the lower slopes creates the perfect contrast. The phrase was made up by early gold miners, as it means the end of summer and the approach of the harsh winter—and those gold prospectors didn’t stop just because the weather was getting cold. Let Princess pick you up from the airport and take you directly to your ship or hotel when you arrive, even if you didn't book your airfare through us.